A Stick A Carrot A String

    E
the horse's hay beneath his head
    A                        
our Lord was born to a manger bed
      F#m                  
that all whose wells run dry
       A    F#m  E
could drink of his supply

    E                                 
to keep him warm, the sheep drew near
    A                             
so grateful for His coming here
      F#m                
come with news of grace
      A  F#m  E
come to take my place
     E
the donkey whispered in his ear
     A            
"child, in 30-some-odd years
      F#m                                     
you'll ride someone who looks like me
   A F#m E
untriumphantly"


     E                          
the cardinals warbled a joyful song
      A                            
he'll make right what man made wrong
     F#m
bringing low the hills
            A F#m E
that the valleys might be filled

        E                             
then "child", asked the birds
        A                               
"well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"
     F#m                        
the tiny baby lay there
        A F#m  E
without saying anything

   E
at a distance stood a mangy goat
     A              
with the crooked teeth and a matted coat
   F#m                    
weary eyes and worn
        A   F#m   E
chipped and twisted horns

    E                                        
thinking "maybe I'll make friends someday

       A           
with the cows and the hens in the rambouillet
      F#m                   
but for now, I'll keep away
          A   F#m  E
I've got nothing smart to say"

      E                        
there's a sign on the barn in the cabbage town
     A                  
"when the rain picks up and the sun goes down
      F#m              
sinners, come inside
           A   F#m   E
with no money, come and buy

E                               
no clever talk, nor a gift to bring
      A                  
requires our lowly, lovely king
     F#m                
come you, empty handed,
          A  F#m E
you don't need anything"

[the solo is tremolo picking
listen to the song to figure out the pattern of how long
to pick each note}

E|---------------11-------------------------|
B|--14-16--17-16---16-14--------------------|
G|------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------|

E                                   
and the night was cool and clear as glass
      A                          
with the sneaking snake in the garden grass
     F#m                   
deep cried out to deep
         A F#m  E
the disciples fast asleep

     E                                         
and the snake perked up when he heard You ask
     A                                  
"if you're willing that this cup might pass
    F#m
we could find our way back home
                A    F#m E
maybe start a family all our own"

      E                                    
"but does not the Father guide the Son?
     A       
not my will, but yours be done.
      F#m                    
what else here to do?
          A   F#m  E
what else for me, but You?"

     E                               
and the snake who'd held the world
     A                    
a stick, a carrot and a string

    F#m                          
was crushed beneath the foot
           A   F#m  E
of your not wanting anything